Barry Hunter

Date of birth18 November 1968
Place of birthColeraine
NationalityNorthern Irish
Weight83 kg
Height1.91 m
PositionDefender

Hunter joined Newcastle United in November 1987 from Coleraine but was released the following summer. Hunter began 2000-01 as a first-choice at centre back for Reading alongside Adrian Viveash, but lost his place following a hamstring injury and then found it difficult to get back in the side. A stylish defender he has a good touch on the ball and is very effective in the air. He created a small piece of history by becoming the first professional footballer to be selected to appear on the BBC television programme 'The Weakest Link'.

After a stint as player / caretaker manager, Hunter's playing contract at Rushden & Diamonds was extended for a further season in June 2004 when he also became the club's youth coach.

Club history

Team Joined Left Loan / Trialist
Coleraine 02 Jan 1987
Newcastle United 02 Jan 1987 30 Jun 1988
Crusaders 12 Jul 1992 20 Aug 1993
Wrexham 20 Aug 1993 12 Jul 1996
Reading 12 Jul 1996 17 Oct 2001
Southend United 12 Feb 1999 16 Mar 1999 L
Rushden and Diamonds 11 Sep 2001 16 Oct 2001 L
Rushden and Diamonds 17 Oct 2001 30 Jun 2006

Club stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1994-95 Wrexham FA Cup 1
1995-96 Wrexham UEFA European Cup Winners Cup 2
1
1999-00 Reading League Cup 1
1
2000-01 Reading FA Cup
1
2000-01 Reading LDV Vans Trophy 2
2
2000-01 Reading League Cup 1
2000-01 Reading League Division 2 21
2
1
2
1
2000-01 Reading League Division 2 Play-Offs 1
1
2001-02 Rushden and Diamonds FA Cup 2
2
2001-02 Rushden and Diamonds League Division 3 23
1
6
2002-03 Rushden and Diamonds FA Cup 2
1
2002-03 Rushden and Diamonds League Cup 1
1
2002-03 Rushden and Diamonds League Division 3 40
1
8
2
2003-04 Rushden and Diamonds FA Cup 1
1
2003-04 Rushden and Diamonds League Cup 1
1
2003-04 Rushden and Diamonds League Division 2 43
4
9
1
2004-05 Rushden and Diamonds League Two
1
2005-06 Rushden and Diamonds League Two
5


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1993-94 Northern Ireland B International
1
1994-95 Northern Ireland UEFA European Championship 1
1995-96 Northern Ireland International Friendly 2
1995-96 Northern Ireland UEFA European Championship 3
1
1996-97 Northern Ireland FIFA World Cup 3
1996-97 Northern Ireland International Friendly 2
1998-99 Northern Ireland B International
1
1998-99 Northern Ireland Charity Omagh Fund 1
1998-99 Northern Ireland International Friendly 1
1999-00 Northern Ireland International Friendly 1
1999-00 Northern Ireland UEFA European Championship 1


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
10 May 1994 England v Northern Ireland L 4-2 B International
26 Apr 1995 Latvia v Northern Ireland W 0-1 UEFA European Championship Group 6
03 Sep 1995 Portugal v Northern Ireland D 1-1 UEFA European Championship Group 6
11 Oct 1995 Liechtenstein v Northern Ireland W 0-4 UEFA European Championship Group 6
15 Nov 1995 Northern Ireland v Austria W 5-3 UEFA European Championship Group 6
24 Apr 1996 Northern Ireland v Sweden L 1-2 International Friendly
29 May 1996 Northern Ireland v Germany D 1-1 International Friendly
05 Oct 1996 Northern Ireland v Armenia D 1-1 FIFA World Cup Group 9
09 Nov 1996 Germany v Northern Ireland D 1-1 FIFA World Cup Group 9
14 Dec 1996 Northern Ireland v Albania W 2-0 FIFA World Cup Group 9
22 Jan 1997 Italy v Northern Ireland L 2-0 International Friendly
11 Feb 1997 Northern Ireland v Belgium W 3-0 International Friendly
09 Feb 1999 Wales v Northern Ireland L 1-0 B International
27 Apr 1999 Northern Ireland v Canada D 1-1 International Friendly
29 May 1999 Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland W 0-1 Charity Omagh Fund
18 Aug 1999 Northern Ireland v France L 0-1 International Friendly
04 Sep 1999 Northern Ireland v Turkey L 0-3 UEFA European Championship Group 3


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.